Mississippi had 320 alcohol-related traffic deaths in 2003 alone. Louisiana had 406.

Those reasons alone are enough to welcome the extra patrols that will be on the streets &045;&045; and waterways &045;&045; of the Miss-Lou this weekend as our area celebrates the Labor Day holiday.

Natchez and her sister communities are known for liking a good time, but that does not mean the party should end in tragedy.

Both the Natchez Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office will be involved in extra patrols and roadblocks today through Monday night, hoping to catch traffic violations before they turn into traffic accidents or tragedies.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols on both the roads and the lakes, working to prevent people from driving or boating under the influence.

Officers and deputies won’t be looking just for drunk drivers &045;&045; they will be looking for other problems as well.

You might think the traffic stops and patrolling cars or a nuisance, but speeding and even other traffic violations can lead to injury and death on the roads.

According to Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell, such extra efforts are helping, especially when people know in advance that they’d better watch out. Not only are fewer people being arrested for DUIs or speeding, more people are wearing their seatbelts as well.

We urge everyone on the road this weekend to be careful. Designate a driver, wear your seatbelt and make your children wear a seatbelt or sit in a child restraint.

We need to celebrate the end of summer, not mourn a tragedy.